Geneva Study Bible When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, {1} Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
(1) An example of the horrible judgment of God upon those who sell Christ as opposed to those who buy Christ. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and {a} departed, and went and hanged himself.
(a) Out of the sight of men. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the {b} treasury, because it is the price {c} of blood.
(b) The treasury of the temple. (c) Of life and death. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury {d} strangers in.
(d) Strangers and guests, whom the Jews could not endure to be joined with even after they were dead. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by {e} Jeremy the prophet, saying, {f} And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
(e) As this prophecy is found in Zec 11:12 it cannot be denied that Jeremy's name slipped into the text either through the fault of the Scribe, or by someone else's ignorance: it may also be that it came out of the margin by means of the abbreviation on one of the letters, the one being yod and the other being zayin, which are very similar: But in the Syrian text the Prophet's name is not written down at all. (f) The evangelist does not follow the prophet's words, but instead he follows the prophet's meaning, which he shows to have been fulfilled. And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. {2} And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
(2) Christ holds his peace when he is accused in order that we may not be accused: acknowledging our guiltiness, and at the same time his own innocence. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. {3} Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
(3) Christ is first acquitted by the same judge who condemns him, that we might see how the just dies for the unjust. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. {4} When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and {g} washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the {h} blood of this just person: see ye to it.
(4) Christ being acquitted by the testimony of the judge himself is nonetheless condemned by him, in order to acquit us before God. (g) It was a custom in ancient times that when any man was murdered, or there were other slaughters, to wash their hands in water to declare themselves guiltless. (h) Of the murder; a Hebrew idiom. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then answered all the people, and said, {i} His blood be on us, and on our children.
(i) If there is any offence committed in slaying him, let us and our posterity suffer for it. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. {5} And they stripped him, and {k} put on him a {l} scarlet robe.
(5) Christ endures that reproach which was due to our sins; meanwhile, in spite of this, by the secret providence of God he is entitled king by those who did him that reproach. (k) They threw a cloak about him and wrapped it around him, for it did not have any sleeves. (l) John and Mark also mention a purple robe, which is also a very pleasant red. But these profane and impudently disrespectful soldiers clad Jesus in this array to make an additional mockery of him, this one who was indeed a true King. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they {m} compelled to bear his cross.
(m) They compelled Simon to bear his burdensome cross, by which it appears that Jesus was so poorly handled before that he fainted along the way, and was not able to bear his cross the whole distance: for John writes that he did bear the cross, that is, at the beginning. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, {6} And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
(6) He is led out of the city so that we might be brought into the heavenly kingdom. They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. {7} They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
(7) Christ found no comfort anywhere, that in him we might be filled with comfort. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. {8} And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
(8) He is made a curse, so that in him we may be blessed: his garments are taken from him so that we might be enriched by his nakedness. And sitting down they watched him there; And sitting down they watched him there;
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. {9} And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(9) He is pronounced the true Messiah, even by those who reject him. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. {10} Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
(10) Christ then began to judge the world, when after his judgment he hung between two thieves. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, {11} And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
(11) To make full satisfaction for us, Christ suffered and overcame not only the torments of the body, but also the most horrible torments of the mind. And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. The {n} thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
(n) This is spoken using the figure of speech called synecdoche, for only one of the thieves reviled him. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. {12} Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
(12) Heaven itself is darkened for very horror, and Jesus cries out from the depth of hell, and all during this time he is being mocked. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou {o} forsaken me?
(o) That is, in this misery: And this crying out is a natural part of his humanity, which, even though it was void of sin, still felt the wrath of God, the wrath which is due to our sins. Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for {p} Elias.
(p) They allude to Elias' name, not because they did not understand what he said, but because of a profane impudence and disrespect, and he repeated those words so that this repetition of the name might be understood. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. {13} Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
(13) Christ, after he had overcome other enemies, at length provokes and attacks death itself. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; {14} And, behold, the {q} veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
(14) Christ, when he is dead, shows himself to be God Almighty, and even his enemies confess the same. (q) Which separated the holiest of all. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And the {r} graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
(r) That is to say, the stones broke apart, and the graves opened themselves to show by this act that death was overcome: and the resurrection of the dead followed the resurrection of Christ, as the next verse indicates Mt 27:53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: {15} When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
(15) Christ is buried, not privately or by stealth, but with the governor's consent, by a famous man, in a place not far distant, in a new tomb, so that his death cannot be doubted. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, {16} Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
(16) The keeping of the tomb is committed to Christ's own murderers, so that there might be no doubt of his resurrection. Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a {f} watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
(f) The soldiers of the garrison who were appointed to guard the temple. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |